Ebike News: Gazelle Class 3 Belt Drive, Rose Lightweight, Wayel E-fat Bike and Much More! | Electric Bike Report | Electric Bike, Ebikes, Electric Bicycles, E Bike, Reviews

The headline news is that Rose’s new Backroad+ model has a stated weight of ‘from 14kg’ and is a mid-drive too – previously lightweight hub motors like Mahle’s X35+ system have dominated the lightweight e-bike market.

How do German manufacturers Rose manage to do it? Firstly they use Shimano’s ultra-powerful but lightweight (2.6kg) EP8 mid-drive combined with a relatively modest 360Wh battery (though you should still get very good range from it on such a sporty, efficient e-bike). Add this to a carbon frame and you have one of the lightest mid-drive e-bikes around.

The bike comes in various models to cover most kinds of use and a wide range of price points too:

• Backroad+ Fitness: €3,999
• Backroad+ Urban: €4,499
• Backroad+ GRX RX600: €4,699
• Backroad + Hiker: € 5,199
• Backroad+ GRX RX810 Di2: €5,699

Rose sell direct throughout the EU though unfortunately post Brexit trade complications with the UK mean they have stopped shipping there for the foreseeable future at least.

Italian manufacturer Wayel have launched the NEXT and NEXT+ folding e-fat bikes. Resembling the highly-rated Aventon Cinch they both models have 4” wide tires and and a choice of 557Wh or 672Wh in-frame batteries. The NEXT has a rear hub motor and seven derailleur gears whilst the NEXT+ features a powerful looking FIVE branded mid-drive. With front fork suspension and a plush saddle added to the fat tires they look super comfortable too.

Both models feature front and rear hard-wired lighting and whilst the hub motor version has cable operated disk brakes the mid-drive version has hydraulics.

RRPs reflect the difference in spec and performance; the NEXT is €1819 / €1949 (different battery sizes) and the NEXT+ €2349 / €2479

Dear Wallstreet tells us how ‘San Diego-based KULR has developed a revolutionary protective wrap for lithium-ion batteries that combats the risk of overheating and spreading fires.

The thermal runaway protection is actually part of the program to be included on batteries on the International Space Station.

The latest batteries in the in-frame, V10 line from Germany’s BMZ have a boost in capacity, the range now maxing out at a whopping 844 Wh.

This great video gives plenty of interesting facts for those just a bit curious about the role Cobalt plays in modern batteries. How does it help a typical lithium e-bike battery work? Where did it come from? What are the problems in getting it out of the ground and how can it be recycled? All is revealed…

The Spin S-300 is the new share e-bike from the San Francisco-based micromobility company.

Spin currently operate dockless electric scooters on colleges and in cities across Europe and North America. Spin say it has ‘been recognized for launching the first stationless mobility program in the United States and was instrumental in crafting the world’s first mobility permit system.’

The S-300 has 26” puncture-resistant tires, adjustable seat height, wireless charging holder for your smartphone and, judging from the launch pics, appears to have a powerful hub motor and large frame integrated battery.

The first fleet of S-300’s hit the streets of Providence, Rhode Island on June 14.

Core 77 reports on how Italian styling house Pininfarina has partnered up with Helbiz, an Italian-based company that produces scooters, e-bikes and mopeds for app-based rental in cities in the U.S. and Europe.

According to the website the Pininfarina-designed Helbiz scooters will first be incorporated into the company’s sharing programs, but will eventually be offered for retail sale.

Silicon Republic reports how Swedish firm Vassla is building a subscription service for ‘a cross between a moped and a traditional e-bike or e-scooter’.

To help the roll out of the subscription Vässla has raised $11m in fresh funds, helping it diversify away from its starting business model of selling e-mopeds.

The article says ‘Vässla Club will target individuals, delivery drivers and businesses like hotels and holiday resorts with a subscription model to access its e-bikes and fleet management features built in for businesses.’

The company is running trials in the Scandinavian market with further trials pencilled in for Berlin, Vienna, Hamburg and Madrid. It is also planning a UK launch once legislation around e-scooter and other electric micromobility vehicles has been introduced beyond the current trial stages taking place across the country.